Method of converting edible compositions



Dec. 16, 1941. R. STOVER 2,266,093

METHOD OF CONVERTING EDIBLE COMPOSITIONS Original Filed June 10, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORv RUSSELL STOVER.

Dec. 16, 1941. R. STOVER METHOD OF CONVERTING EDIBLE COMPOSITIONS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 10, 1938 liar GT7 INVENTOR.

RUSSELL S OVER. Z Q

ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF CONVERTINGEDIBLE COMPOSITIONS 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of converting edible compositionsinto a more delectable state and more especially to convert solidifiedsubstances into a plastic mass of predetermined consistency, althoughcertain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for kindred purposes. This application is a division of patent applicationserially numbered 212,913 filed June 10, 1938, of which applicationserially numbered 381,726 filed March 4, 1941, is acontinuation-in-part.

It contemplates more especially the provision of improved means forchanging the texture of normally liquid compositions frozen to asubstantially solid state of predetermined volume or mass to convertsuch to a delectable plastic consistency possessed of improved tastecharacteristics so as to be vendible over the counter in pre-measuredquantities or units for consumption with a spoon or other utensil insubstantially the same state and substantially at the same temperatureas ice cream discharged direct from the customary batch freezer.

With the teachings of the present invention, the problems ofpre-measuring as well as converting frozen or refrigerated drinks of acomposite character are easily solved without entailing any appreciablecare, time measuring variaables or impairment due to non-uniformity inthe resulting composition for prompt vending to the consumer over thecounter. These difliculties are especially eliminated by starting outwith a pro-measured composition of a normally liquid substance frozen toa substantially solid state preferably though not essentially with apredetermined air overrun therein and efiecting the conversion thereofinto a fiowable plastic mass promptly upon order and without impairmentto the constituents, taste characteristics, texture, or the desirableoverrun usually imparted to products of this character for commercial aswell as improved taste purposes.

Then, too, frozen products are preferably provided with an overrunranging from seventy to eighty per cent for the best eating qualitiesdepending upon the dictates of commercial practice and the processingthereof for conversion into a fiowable or plastic mass and consummablewith the aid of the customary utensils such as'a spoon. Such conversionshould not diminish the initial overrun and, may, if desired, increasethe overrun to produce commercial as well as taste advantages. Shouldthe initial overrun be too low in the frozen product, then theconversion treat ment could impart the desired overrun thereto so thatthe final product is possessed of uniform specifications as to texture,volume, overrun, and consistency without any degree of control exercisedby the attendant. However, should the initial overrun exceed the rangeof seventy to eighty per cent or any other desired limit, the conversiontreatment may be utilized to diminish the air overrun to obtain the mostdelectable texture and consistency in the final product.

The usual disadvantages have been overcome largely by producing largebatches of. a normally liquid composition on a production basis andconverting such to a substantially solid state by simultaneous beatingand freezing in order to impart thereto an air overrun preferably thoughnot essentially ranging from fifty to one hundred per cent and retainingsuch during the conversion thereof into a substantially plastic statewith predeterminable overrun depending upon the dictates of commercialpractice. The normally liquid composition is rendered self-sustainingand form-retaining in predetermined units sufiicient for instantlypreparing an individual order over the counter. To this end, the factoryproduced units of a frozen edible composition are held at a definitehardness and rendered available in storage compartments of mechanicalcoolers for counter conversion into a substantially plastic mass ofpredetermined volume having substantially the same temperature andconsistency of the usual ice cream freeze as it leaves the customarybatch freezer, this being accomplished without refrigeration in aconverter embodying features and the teachings of the present invention.

The consumer will, therefore, receive a more palatable composition thatis substantially 18 warmer in temperature than hardened ice creamordinarily served at the fountain. The usual head discomfort experiencedby some people during the consumption of hard ice cream or fountainserved ice cream is usually eliminated. This is accomplished with afountain counter machine that speedily converts the refrigerated massinto a substantially semi-solid plastic having substantially the sameconsistency and temperature of ice cream that is discharged from a batchor continuous freezer without the required addition or incorporation ofliquids such as milk. Then, too, different flavors of pro-measured unitscan be successively processed in this manner with utmost flexibilitydepending upon the desires of each customer, since conversion chamber isselfemptying with each operation.

After conversion, the plastic edible composi tion is discharged into areceptacle such as a glass for consumption with the aid of a spoon orother utensil. The treatment of edible compositions having preferably amuch lower butter fat content than ice cream, in such a manner, resultsin a composition which is uniform in quality, consistency and quantityon a factory produced and tested basis which precludes each individualvendor from incorporating any variations as well as eliminates thenecessity of relying upon attendants to measure and exercise care witheach order so as to procure such standards to a certainty, therebycontrolling quality, quantity, texture and volume to a factoryprescribed standard without injecting human inaccuracies. As a result,frozen edible compositions of this character having preferably thoughnot essentially a much lower butter fat content than ice cream, can beserved more economically and with utmost uniformity in composition,consistency, flavor quality and quantity without incorporating theelements of chance that are interposed by each attendant withoutdetection.

This afiords the national marketing of cold refrigerated compositions ofmuch lower butter fat content than ice cream and yet having a smoothplastic consistency and the taste characteristics thereof as it normallyleaves the batch ice cream freezer. This affords speedy serving ofuniform quantities in an improved manner at less expense to the consumerand controlled cost to the vendor in predetermined quantities for eachorder without possible surplus or waste and with utmost uniformity inevery possible respect. All of the disadvantages of vending drinks in aliquid state have been overcome with the teachings of the instantinvention pertaining to a novel method of converting edible frozencompositions to a substantially plastic state having the consistency andsubstantially the temperature of ice cream at the time such leaves thestandard freezer together with the taste characteristics thereof at lessinitial ingredient cost and without the uncontrollable loss nowexperienced because of waste. This is accomplished by a counterattendant with special composition conversion equipment that does notentail much time, labor, an expensive machinery investment, and theheretofore uncontrolled expense occasioned by waste and variation in theinitial compounding by thecounter attendant.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel method ofpreparing predetermined servings of a normally liquid uniform ediblecomposition in a substantially semi-solid or plastic chilled state.

Another object is to provide a novel method 01' instantly producingindividual servings of a substantially plastic edible refrigeratedsubstance of normally unstable ingredients combined in a compositeproduct that has improved taste and eating characteristics.

Still another object is to provide a novel method of converting andproducing normally liquid edible compositions in the form of asubstantially plastic edible freeze possessed of a predeterminedoverrun.

A further object is to provide a novel method of converting compositerefrigerated products of low butter fat content into predeterminedservings of chilled plastic substances having the taste and texturecharacteristics of freshly prepared ice cream coming direct from a batchfreezer.

A still further object is to provide improved frozen substanceprocessing method of producing or maintaining the prepared overrun in anormally liquid composite material refrigerated to a substantiallyplastic state preparatory to consumption.

Still a further object is to convert a normally liquid composite ediblesubstance frozen to a substantially solid state into a plasticconsistency without incorporating a liquid during the con-..

version preparatory to consumption with the aid of a spoon or otherutensil without impairment to its initial overrun.

An additional object is to provide a. novel method of converting asubstantially solid refrigerated mass into a plastic consistency withoutimpairment to the initial overrun therein and producing a pre-measureduniform mass of an edible composition.

other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodying features of the presentinvention, the external housing being shown in section to clarify theshowing.

Figure 2 is a sectional view in elevation taken substantially along theline IIII of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view in elevation of the device shownin Figures 1 and2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IV-IV ofFigure 3.

' Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially alongline VV of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VI-VI ofFigure 2.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a normally liquid edible compositionplasticized to a sub-' stantially solid state for instant conversioninto a semi-solid plastic flowable composite mass with the aid of theinstrumentalities shown in the preceding figures.

The structure selected for illustration exemplifies a novel process ofproducing a normally untable product consisting of a compositeassociation of different edible ingredients in predetermined relation topresent a frozen self-sustaining and form-retaining edible compositioncapable of rapid conversion into a predetermined quantity of a flowableplastic mass for consumption with the aid of a spoon or similar utensil.An edible composition capable of advantageous conversion in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention, preferably though notessentially may for purposes of illustration comprise suitableproportions of 20% butter fat cream, 4% butter fat milk, skim milkpowder, corn sugar, beet or cane sugar, daroloid, and vanilla, chocolatesyrup malted milk powder, or fruit intimately combined to provide anormally liquid composition capable of freezing into a substantiallysolid state.

Higher and lower butter fat compositions may also be treated andprocessed according to the teachings of the present invention, and otheredible compositions varying greatly in constituents and proportionalquantities may be utilized for this purpose. The above specifiedcompositions should be regarded as illustrative rather than as anessential requirement of the com-- position for processing in accordancewith the teachings of the invention which constitutes the subject matterof this disclosure. 7 Then, too, a substantial or nominal portion of drymalted milk powder may be incorporated into the initial composition,especially when chocolate flavored,

to present or impart thereto the accustomed chocolate malted milk tastepreferably in the presence of the chocolate syrup or vanilla syrupflavor or even without these ingredients should commercial practice sodictate. This will depend largely upon the dictates of commercialpractice and the individual tastes so that the above compositions areillustrative rather than limitations or requirements.

The'ingredients are thoroughly mixed in much the same way as for thepreparationof an ice cream mix; however, the compositions may hepossessed of A; to $4; of the usual butter fat content thereof toprovide a composition of less calorific value and still be capable ofeffective counter conversion into a delectable product. Then, too,standard ice cream mix may also be used in processing in accordance withthe teachings of the present invention. Thereupon, the unfrozen initialmixture is converted into a substantially plastic state by resort to thecustomary ice cream freezers which are capable of imparting theretoanair overrun ranging from fifty to one-hundred per cent or more as maybe desired. This step converts their state from a liquid to a plastic orsolid substance depending upon the degree of refrigeration to which itis subjected. For that matter, the initially refrigerated substance ormass need not possess any air overrun for purposes of conversion inaccordance with the teachings of the method which is the subject matterof the present invention.

The resulting frozen flowable substance is poured or packaged orotherwise incorporated into suitable container molds to impart thereto apredetermined mass formation either directly into cylindrical units orsmall rectangular bars l (Figure '7) or into large masses that arehardened by subjection to low freezing temperatures over an extendedperiod of time so as to enable cutting thereof into a plurality of smallbars l0 approximating that shown in Figure 7. Usually, a battery ofcircular saws spaced apart for suflicient distance to sever the largemass of frozen material into a plurality of smaller bars I0, has beenfound to be a very eflicient method of producing frozen bars which arepre-measured in volume to provide a glassful of the resulting product ina manner to be described hereinafter; however, the predetermined unitsmay take a cylindrical shape and be prepared in an entirely differentmanner by pouring the plastic freeze into elongated paper containersserving as molds such as disclosed in my copending patent applicationSerial Number 212,916 and filed June 10, 1938.

The normally liquid mixture is thus subjected to refrigeration forconversion into self-sustaining and form-retaining units or bars III ofpredetermined size and shape with the desired overrun that rangesbetween fifty to one hundred per cent or more and in practice shouldaverage seventy per cent for the best taste results. Thus, the mixtureis first converted into predetermined self-sustaining and form-retainingedible units l0 suitably packed in cartons. These cartons are deliveredto vendors in the presence of dry ice or other refrigerants so as tomaintain the selfsustaining and form-retaining consistency of the edibleunits l0 and to enable the vendor to convert each bar or unit In into amore desirable state such as a flowable plastic mass that is dischargedinto a receptacle such as a glass for vending over the counter andimmediate consumption with the aid of a utensil. such as a spoon.

The size, density and shape of the initial edible self-sustainingandform-retaining frozen mass "I may vary depending upon the dictates ofcommercial practice, and are delivered to vendors who are usuallyequipped with mechanically refrigerated storage cabinets which willmaintain the bars or edible units In at the desired freezing temperatureand solid consistency desired over an extended period of time inreadiness for conversion upon order by a consumer. The edibleself-sustaining and form-retaining bars ill of predetermined size andform are then converted into a delectable flowable plastic mass having apleasing temperature preferably though not essentially approximating 23F. upon order of the consumer who intends to consume such in the form ofa soft flowable freeze at the counter with the aid of a spoon.

To this end, a specially eflicacious converting device embodyingfeatures of the present invention, is provided on the counter for thisparticular purpose so as to speedily convert the premeasured size orvolume of self-sustaining and form-retaining units such as the bars l0into a predetermined quantity of a plastic flowable mass withoutimpairing the overrun that is initially provided therein or adjustingthe overrun should commercial practice so dictate to improve thetexture, taste and flavor for consumption with the aid of a utensil suchas a spoon.

The preferred embodiment of a machine embodying features of the presentinvention and capable of performing the method of converting normallyliquid substances frozen to a substantially solid state into a flowableplastic mass possessed of the desired overrun in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, may comprise a base H preferablyconsisting of a flat plate member which serves to sustain a full loadquick starting electric torque type motor I2. The electric motor I2 is,in this instance, provided with base flanges ii that are perforated toreceive threaded studs [4 the'rethrough to securely mount the motor l2to the base II. The motor I2 is preferably of the self-starting torquetype which starts off at full speed approximating 1750 R. P. M. Asshown, the motor i2 has an armature shaft l5 extending through theforward motor casing plate It which is provided with a bearing I! forjournalled support of the armature shaft 55. The bearing I1 is disposedconcentrically of the armature shaft bore l1 provided in the forwardwall l8 of the motor casing end plate I8.

The forward casing plate I6 of the motor 12 is preferably provided withan outwardly extending circular boss l8 that serves as a complement of acylindrical gear housing I! of corresponding size for axial attachmentthereto by means of suitable fasteners such as stud bolts 20. In orderto preclude oil and other foreign substances from escaping beyond thegear housing i 9, the forward peripheral edge 2| is threaded as at 22 toreceive a retainer plate 23 thereover. To this end, the

, packing retainer plate 23 is provided with a peripheral flange 24 thatis inwardly threaded as at 25 to engage the correspondingly threadedperipheral edge 22 of the gear housing I!) to retain packing material 26therebetween.

It will be notedthat the stud bolts 2|! extend through the rectangularplate 23 of the gear housing l9 to engage the forwardly recessed boss l8of the motor housing plate l6, thereby retaining the parts in assembledrelation to confine the lubricants and the agitator operatinginstrumentalia pair of vertically aligned bores 21 and 28 extendingthrough the forward wall thereof to communicate with inwardlycountersunk recesses 29 and 30 that receive ball bearing raceways 3|with the armature shaft bore ll' provided in the end motor casing platewall |8 so as to support a beater or agitator shaft 33 that terminatesin an integral gear having an enlarged hub 35 for the reception of thearmature shaft I therein. A pin 35 extends radially through the gear hub35 to effect the connection thereof with the armature shaft |5 so as torotate in unison therewith.

Another agitator shaft 3'l is journalled in the lower gear housing bore28 to receive a spur gear 38 corresponding in size shape w th the spurgear 34 for meshing alignment therewith within the gear housing |9|. Asshown, the lower spur gear 38 is provided with an enlarged hub 39extending axially therefrom to theagitator shaft 31 proximate to theextremity 4| thereof. The agitator shaft extremity 4| is ournalled in aball bearing raceway 42 confined in a recess 43 provided in the end wallof the motor casing boss l8, thereby supporting the agitator shafts 33and 31 in vertical spaced relation.

A converter housing, 44 in this instance of substantially figure 8design to avoid all dead space or ineffective mixing areas, is providedforwardly of the packing retainer plate 23 for attachment thereto. Tothis end, the converter housing 44 is provided wtih a peripheral flange45 that has a finished end surface 46 to contact the finished face ofthe plate 23 for attachment thereto by means of threaded studs 41 whichextend therethrough. Should commercial practice so dictate, theconverter housing 44 may be formed integral with the retainer plate 23so as to avoid the necessity of providing a threaded attachmenttherebetween through the medium of any fasteners 41. The forward wall 48of the converter housing 44 is formed integral therewith to provide adischarge orifice 49 proximate to the bottom 58 of the converter housing44 and substantially in axial alignment with the lower agitator shaft31.

A closure plate 5| has a boss 52 formed thereon to enable the pivotalmounting thereof to the forward wall 48 by means of a stud 53 so as toafford the opening and closing thereof in the plane of the externalsurface of the forward converter wall 48. Another boss 54 is formed onthe end of the closure plate 5| in substantially symmetrical arrangementwith the opposite pivotal mounting boss 52 so as to provide for theformation of a handle member 55 thereon. The handle member 55 ispreferably though not essentially formed integral with the closure plate5| so as to enable the manual opening and closing thereof relative to astop lug 58 comprising a part or attached to the forward mixer wall 48.

The closure stop 58 is preferably provided with a spaced lug 61 thereonfor retaining a spring impelled detent 58 in the path of the ear 54 ofthe closure plate 5|, the closure ear 54 being slightly indented as at59 (Figure 4) so that the spring impelled detent 58 will registertherewith in the operative position of the closure 5| over the dischargeopening 49 of the mixer housing 44. In consequence thereof, the closure5| serves as a valve for the discharge converter housing orifice 49. Thesubstantially t-shaped and 32. The upper bore 21 is in axial alignmentaaeaoos converter housing 44 is preferably provided with an intakehopper 80 that extends upwardly in the form of a hopper having asubstantially rectangular configuration whose interior is sized tocorrespond with the configuration of the frozen substance In forreception therein. The converter housing 44 and the intake hopper 80 arepreferably of comparatively thin sheet plate construction to minimizethe heat capacity thereof and to provide better thermal conditions forthe treatment of frozen substances which should lose the least possiblecold' thereto.

In the present embodiment, the intake hopper 68 extends upwardly and issomewhat larger in cross-section and longer than the predetermined sizeof the frozen substance unit ||l of preformed shape that is insertedtherein for displacement into the interior of the converter housing 44by 1 means of a plunger 6| that is somewhat smaller extension 6|.

in dimensional extent than the interior of the intake hopper 60, butcorresponds in shape therewith so as to constitute a part of the closuremember 62 adapted to rest upon the upper peripheral edge 83 of theintake hopper to serve as a closure therefor. Any suitably shaped handle64 may be formed with the top entrant closure plate 62 and, in thepresent embodiment, it is formed integral therewith through a connectingshank 65 so as to enable the manipulation of the closure 62 with itsdepending plunger The plunger 6| may be of thin sheet plate constructionto confine an antifreeze solution 6| therein to conduct heat to theexterior surface thereof and encourage the edible melted substances tobe dislodged therefrom or it may be cast to form a hollow interiorchamber having a curved sheet plate end 68 to absorb minimumrefrigeration. The plunger is sufficiently heavy to be self-feeding orconstitute a gravity feed for the refrigerated unit It! when theagitators 61 and 68 are operating.

The lower end 66 of the depending plunger 8| is of arcuately concaveshape so as to correspond with the exterior contour of a top convertermember 61 mounted on the shaft 33 within the converter housing 44,thereby affording a minute clearance therewith when its top closureplate 62 rests upon the peripheral edge 83 of the charging hopper 60(Figure 6). It will thus be apparent that the preformed self-sustainingand form-retaining frozen substance unit can be inserted by the fountainattendant within the hopper 80 for displacement into the converterhousing 44 by means of the plunger 6| that forces the frozen substanceinto the path of the top sharp comminuting member 61 that cooperateswith a lower agitator member 68 corresponding in general contour withthe sharp-edged member 61 as will appear more fully hereinafter.

In order to effectively and more speedily convert the frozenself-sustaining and form-retaining edible unit l0 into a flowableplastic mass without impairment to the overrun therein andadvantageously impart a somewhat increased overrun, if varied at all,the upper converter 81 and the lower agitator or beater 68 arehelicularly shaped. The top converter member 61 comprises two blades 69and 10 shaped substantially in the' form of a helix to comprisecircumferentially spaced cutters. In the present embodiment, the upperconverter member 61 has its blades 89 and 18 of helicular shape securedto vertical end members H and 12 provided with tubular aligned bosses 13and 14 which are sized to fit over the agitator shaft 83 for attachmentthereto in any suitable manner.

The blades 69 and I of the agitator 81 are shaped to provide right-handhelixes spaced substantially 180 apart for permanent attachment to thevertical end members II and I2. The helicular blades 69 and I0 may and,in the embodiment shown in Figures and 6 are provided with a compoundreverse curve to present a substantially S cross-section with the outeredges I6 and I1 ground or otherwise shaped to present knife sharpnessfor effectively cutting and rapidly comminuting the edible frozensubstances which preferably though not essentially is initially in afrozen solid state I0. The lower agitator or beater 68 is shaped tocorrespond with the upper agitator 61 with the exception that thehelicular curve of the blades 18 and 19 are left-handed in direction toenable the interpositioning thereof with the upper blades 69 and (Figure6) to minimizethe space requirements therefor as well as to moreeffectively oomminute, mix, agitate, beat and convert the initiallysolid substance with which the converter housing 44 is charged, into asubstantially plastic state. The cooperation of the plunger 6| with thesharp edged upper comminuting member SL'is effective in rapidlyeffecting the conversion with the minimum refrigeration' loss. 1

In the lower beater or agitator 68, the forward edge 80 and 8| of theblades I8 and Bare comparativel'y blunt so as to effectively agitate andbeat the substance in cooperation with the upper comminuter or convertermember 81. To reduce the metallic body of the hopper 60 and converterhousing 44, these parts are formed of sheet material so as to eliminateor at least minimize the cold absorption from the edible substance I0.To this end, the converter housing 44 is provided with comparativelythin walls that tend to approach each other between the upper and loweragitator shafts 33 and 31 to provide substantially V- shapedhorizontally confronting intermediate sections 82 and 83 (Figure 6)presenting a substantially figure 8 shape that does not present any deadareas from a mixing standpoint.

In consequence thereof, the upper and lower portions of the converterhousing 44 conform substantially with the generally circular contour ofthe upper and lower comminuter beaters 61-68, respectively, so as toefiectively produce a homogeneous flowable plastic mass having properoverrun therein and the desired uniform smooth texture. This is effectedwithin a short interval of as low as six seconds so that the resultingproduct will be cold and yet fiowable for discharge responsive totheiinfiuence of the lower agitator or heater 88 into a receptacle suchas a glass for consumption with the aid of a utensil such as a spoon. Toprocure the desired overrun in the converted substance, the blades 69I0and 18-19 of the members 61 and 68, respectively, should be spaced fromthe walls of the housing 44 for at least to of an inch depending uponthe size, capacity and speed of these instrumentalities.

The frozen self-sustaining and form-retaining unit I0 is purposelyconverted into a cold flowable plastic mass rather than a liquid inorder to retain the desired overrun of at least seventy per cent and toenable the consumption with a spoon and to provide a more delectableproduct from a consumption standpoint. The lower agitator or beater 68is provided with axially tubular bosses 84 and 85 for attachment to thelower agitator shaft 31 in any suitable manner. Any suitable shell 81preferably of ornamental design and ap pearance may be provided as acomplement of the base II to enclose the instrumentalities describedsupra with the exception of the entrant hopper 60 and the valvedischarge orifice 49 and their auxiliary parts.

the walls of the casing 81 for ventilation purposes and similarly theend motor casing member I6 may be provided with ventilating apertures 89and 90. I order to automatically control the operation of lane electricmotor and to insure uniform results without relying upon the judgmentofthe attendant, and electric manual switch 9| of a self-opening springtype is mounted in the wall of the housing 81 so as to initiate theoperation of the motor I2 and control the source of power thereto whenthe hopper has been charged with the plastic substance so as to startwith a full load. In consequence thereof, the current drain on the motorI2 will be extremely high and perhaps constitute a momentary overload soas to energize a single throw relay switch 92 connected to the powerline I 05 and the switch 9| to close the circuit to the electric motorI2 after the self-opening switch 9| has been released by the attendant.

The relay 92 is provided with a coil designed to pull its armature at afull load that will average or approximate 900 watts for a quarter horsepower motor I2 operating at substantially 1750 R. P. M. This loadcontinues until the refrigerated mass I0 has been fully comminuted bythe upper rotating member 61 for transmission to the lower agitatorbeater 68 to effect the conversion thereof into the desired plasticconsistency at which timethe motor I2 has apower drain of substantially300 watts for a volt A. 0. motor. At this moment when the consistency ofthe initial plastic mass I0 is reduced to a plastic state at the desiredoverrun, the relay coil 92 is such as to release an armature at thiscurrent drain so as to break the circuit which is clearly illustratedand described in the copending application serially numbered 381,726 andfiled March 4, 1941. Opening the circuit de-energizes the motor l2,thereby indicating when the initial refrigerated mass I0 has beenconverted to its proper plastic consistency through this automatic motorcontrol.

In order to effect the discharge of the plastic substances after themotor l2 has become deenergized, another switch I02 having a resilientlymounted pole I03 thereon (Figure 1) is connected to the power line|04--I05 to cut in the motor I2 responsive to opening the valve 5|. Thevalve 5| is opened by displacement in a counterclockwise direction(viewed from Figure 3) in conjunction with its mounting pintle 53. It isto be noted the valve pintle 53 is provided with a trip I06 which isrotated with the pintle 53 and valve 5| in the path of the resilientlymounted switch pole I03 so as to open the switch I02 when the valve 5|is disposed over the discharge opening 49. When the valve 5| isdisplaced from the discharge housing opening 49, however, the circuit isclosed ahead of the manual switch 9| and relay switch 92, therebyenabling the discharge of the plastic mass I0 after it has been properlyconverted to the desired consistency for discharge into a receptaclesuch as a glass, ice cream cone, or other type of container responsiveto the action of the lower agitator member 88.

The switch I02- has one of its terminals connected to a power lineextension that is electrically connected to one of the terminals of themotor I2, and the main wire line I04 is connected to the other terminalthereof. Now, then, in order to preclude the motor I2 to be energizedwhen the plunger has been removed and thus permit the attendant toaccidentally lodge his fingers in the hopper 60 for possible seriousinjury responsive to the rotation of the comminuting and agitatormembers 61-08, a switch button I01 is carried by a resilient strap I08to normally project the button I01 through an aperture I09 provided inthe rear wallof the hopper 80 near the open orifice 63 thereof.

The switch terminal button I0! is disposed in the path of the plunger 0|so as to be displaced outwardly when the plunger BI is positioned toclose the open end 63 of the hopper 60 in forcing the ediblerefrigerated unit I0 downwardly into the path of the rotating comminuter61. When the switch button I01 is displaced, a terminal contact IIOcarried by the strap I08 will effect engagement with a confrontingterminal contact III carried by a resilient strap II2 (Figure that isdisposed parallel to the strap I08. Lead wires II3-I I3 connect thecontact terminal straps I08-II2 with the main'. wire lead I05 so as toclose this lead wire when the plunger Si is in operative position toenclose the open orifice 63 of the hopper 60. This insures againstinjury to the attendants finger or hand in that the switch button I 01will protrude into the hopper 60 through the apertures I09 thereof so asto break the motor circuit through the terminal contacts IIO-I II andpreclude energization of the motor I2 in the event the plunger 6| isremoved from the hopper 60 even though the manual switch Si or valveswitch I02 is closed by the-attendant.

This insures the utmost safety in the operation of the instrumentalitiesdescribed supra, and affords the, automatic shut-off when the power hasreduced to a predetermined limit calibrated and determined by the loadon any particular motor I2 when the proper conversion of the mass I0 tothe desired plastic consistency has been eflected by the members 61 and68. It is to be noted that a casing- I I4 is provided to enclose theterminal contacts I I0I I I together with their supporting terminalstraps I08II2, the casing Ill being detachably connected to the rearwall of the hopper I50 so as to enclose the switch I01 and precludeaccess of any foreign substances thereto. With this arrangement, thecasing II4 with the contacts IIO-I II and button I01 are readilyremovable as a unit to permit the hopper 80 to be separately removed andcleansed.

It is to be noted that the relay switch coil 92 is provided with anadjustable resistor element that enables a variation at which the relayswitch 92 will cut-out the motor I2 depending upon the requirements ofcommercial practice and the particular substances that are beingconverted or processed in the manner described herein. This adjustmentenables an attendant to uniformly produce the desired consistency eventhough there may be variations in compositions. It should be observedthat the initial refrigerated edible substances I0 may be of any desiredflavor and the proper proportion of flavor extracts and preferably freshfruits such as strawberries,

mands and individual taste requirements. This is provided for at thefactory and each vendor can be supplied with a supply of properly.varied and proportioned frozen units III for conversion into a plasticfreeze upon customer demand with instrumentalities of the typedescribed.

It should be noted that the placement of the refrigerated substance orpredetermined mass I0 in the intake hopper 60 for the duration of itspassage therethrough and into the conversion chamber 44, serves toconduct a portion of its refrigeration to the body of the hopper 60 andconversion chamber 44. The frequent processing of successive substanceunits I0 will gradually serve to refrigerate the interior end walls ofthe hopper 00' with its conversion chamber 44 so that the extent of theheat exchange will lessen and further processing will be more effectivein stabilizing the resulting plastic product. With the temperature ofthe hopper 60 and its conversion chamber reduced to a degree nearing thetemperature of the resultant plastic product, better control of the airoverrun is possible and the discharge product becomes more stable andretains its plastic consistency sufiiciently long the enable convenientand tasty consumption. The simultaneous comminution and agitation of theinitial frozen units I0 is, therefore, gradually converted into a stableand delectable plastic mass of smooth texture and possessed of thedesired air overrun therein. There is, in effect, a defreezing treatmentimparted to the frozen units I0 in efiecting the desired conversionthereof.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinspecifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing hereinshall be construed as a limitation upon the invention, its concept orstructural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof except asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim: v

1. A method of treating normally liquid edible material frozen to asubstantially solid state which consists in subjecting preformed unitsthereof to a comminuting and beating action until converted to a coldflowable plastic mass with the desired overrun therein, and thentransferring the plastic mass substantially equivalent to an initialpreformed unit into a receptacle for consumption in its cold plasticstate.

2. A method of treating normally liquid edible substances frozen intopolygonal units of preformed self-sustaining and form-retaining shapeand possessed of any predetermined overrun which consists in subjectingeach preformed unit to a cutting and beating action that first reducesand then increases the overrun during the conversion thereof to a coldflowable plastic state, and then transferring the cold plastic masspossessed of the desired overrun into a receptacle for consumption ofthe initial preformed solid unit in its cold plastic state.

3. A method of treating normally liquid edible material frozen intosubstantially solid preformed units of predetermined size, whichconsists in subjecting the frozen units to a beating action to reconvertsuch into substantially its initial state as a cold flowable plasticfreeze having the desired overrun therein, and then transferring theplastic freeze into a receptacle for consumption of the initialpreformed solid unit in its cold plastic state.

part improved taste and texture qualities thereto, and then transferringeach preformed unit of the plasticized material into a receptacle forconsumption with the aid of a spoon.

5. A method of processing normally liquid material frozen to asubstantially solid state which consists in mechanically comminuting andsimultaneously agitating preformed units of the frozen materialsufilciently to convert such into a plastic consistency with apredetermined overrun and without change in the general character of theresultant product-to impart improved taste and texture qualitiesthereto, and then transferring the plasticized material into areceptacle for consumption with the aid of a spoon.

6. A method of processing normally liquid material frozen to asubstantially solid state which consists in mechanically comminutingpreformed units of frozen material sufliciently to convert such into aplastic emulsified consistency without any substantial variation in theinitial and texture qualities thereto, and then transferring thepreformed units of the plasticized material into a receptaclepreparatory to consumption.

7. A method of treating a normally liquid edible substance frozen into asubstantially solid preformed state which consists in confining thepreformed substance in a chamber of greater capacity, then activelycomminuting and beating the frozen substance in said chamber until it isconverted into a uniform plastic consistency substantially filling thechamber without any substantial change in the general character of theresultant product to impart improved taste and texture qualitiesthereto, and then transferring the converted substance to a receptacleforserving in its plastic state.

8. A method of treating a normally liquid edible substance frozen into asubstantially solid preformed shape which consists in actively beatingthe preformed substance sumciently to convert such into a uniformplastic consistency having the desired overrun therein without anysubstantial change in the general character of the resultant product toimpart improved taste and texture qualities thereto, and thentransferring the converted substance into a receptacle for consumptionof the initial preformed substance in itsplastic state.

RUSSELL BTOVER.

